Oliver Is Gone

Oliver Mtukudzi passed away yesterday. His music was a pleasure to listen to. He was 66.

A Nice Music Find With Downloadable Songs

If you have been here much you know I post and like music from Africa particularly from West Africa.

This site I just ran across last night is by far the best ever. If the best is rated a 10 the others I've seen and used is maybe a 1.

What so nice is that all these songs are downloadable and there is a massive amount of material and artists found here at Awesome Tapes From Africa plus other links as well that take you to other sources.

This made my day and I was blown away by some of the music I had never heard before.

Check it out and you will not be disappointed.

Paapa Yankson-One Fly And A Flute

Over 30 years ago on the bus to Accra from Winneba to eventually return to the states I shared a seat with Paapa Kofi Yankson. That experience made me question whether I should be leaving Ghana.

From Winneba Paapa was attending the National Academy of Music located in his home town. Already an accomplished musician he wanted to learn to play the flute so he would be able to incorporate this into his music which he has done.

I have searched for videos of this man but always came up empty. Today I got there by accident and those memories and his music brought a tear to my eye. This is a great song and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.



As a side note. I left Ghana from Kotoka airport just like the underwear bomber did. I paid for my ticket in cash. FYI to this day that is still the only way you will purchase a ticket at Kotoka. No plastic allowed.

Obroni Big Man Arrives In Ghana

Yea-the fact of the matter is that the Obama's could very well be called white if they happen to get out and about a bit and that ain't no shit. I've been called "obronie" (pronounced o-brew-knee) thousands of times and the humor is that although it basically means "white man" black people from well to do country's are called that also. I'm chuckling now. Got old at times and came mostly from the young. We could never figure this out. They just have this need to point out white people to each other or something like that because it's not derogatory. If the Obama's get out very far that would happen without a doubt and that's damn funny to me.

If I had planned the Obama's itinerary this evening would start with this dish prepared with proper palm nut soup and fowl.



After that they would attend an outdoor venue for an evening dancing to Highlife and partaking of spirits while listening to music such as this. I just heard this and it is SO good!

If I were to return much time would be spent in outdoor beer joints so to speak listening,dancing,eating kabobs,flirting with the girls and having some Club beer. You betcha.




One thing that they will hear from the moment they step off the plane from every Ghanaian they meet is "You are welcome". We would all get the same treatment and I can't tell how nice that is. That is Ghana.

Please-you are welcome President Obama



Note-
Looking around came across these. A travel site that covers starting out where I was. It works well.

A post from today from an Obroni Mom where life away from where the Obama's will be hanging isn't so "sweet" as is said there a lot.

Then this a video put up before that I like. It crosses Highlife with a bit of hip hop and it's just fun.

African Soundz For PCat

PCat- Could not find anything on Mohammed Bellemou but there is much out there. These two programs came from KGNU in Boulder. The program is "African Roots" and airs on Saturdays. It's not unusual to have artists in studio. Some of their programs can be downloaded as these were but not recently. There are some good cuts in these two but I can't emphasize enough KSUP's "Rhythm Afrique" program on Fridays at 8PM PT.

I am partial to stations that stream because one never knows what will be played next. Mabonakude is from Zimbabwe and has its moments but right now listening to "Ghana Beats" something I just found that seems to be live and supposedly streaming from Kumasi in Ghana. Actually pretty good. At present it is not on.

Below is a video of what I consider traditional Highlife that got it's start at the old port of Takaradi also in Ghana.


This is kinda fun.

Like this because it's a cross between traditional and hip-hop that's nicely done. Hip-hop seems to dominate the videos from West Africa. Maybe there is something here you or others may enjoy. tb